Customer Reviews

The Complete Shade Gardener

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is the bible of shade gardening. (I bought apaper-back version in 1985 ........, and have used ever since.) A big Walnut Tree shades my back yard and I alternately curse and bless it. I want a cool patio on a hot summer afternoon, but the Walnut tree makes gardening a challenge. Using Schenk's book, I have learned how to grow pleasing and pretty plants in the dry shade under it.

Probably the best part of Schenk's book is his discussion of trees and shrubs. Many gardeners, even experienced ones, pay the least amount of attention to the trees affecting the ground they are trying to cultivate. Trees do matter. Some trees create more problems than others. Most of us discover too late that Maple trees are not the gardeners' best friend. (Those cute little maple trees from the Japanese hybridists are a possible exception.) Mr. Schenk shares many good thoughts on making a beautiful, not just passable garden under your shade tree(s).

This is an excellent resource for any gardener. Well written, practical advice on all aspects of shade gardening, planning, planting & care. It includes lists of plants & their descriptions, uses, & requirements, subdivided between trees,shrubs,perennials & annuals. Also good examples of shady gardens & imaginative ideas.

If you a looking for a pretty picture book - this is not it. It does have a nice color picture section in the middle however.

If you are looking for an indispensable reference to shade gardening - this is your book! It has detailed information on growing the plants, neatly arranged in sections according to type of plant. Highly recommended for the shade gardener.

George Schenk writes with humor, knowledge, and a refreshing restraint about the rich world of the shady garden...his interest in species and unusual plants shines but does not eclipse his regard for shade staples like vinca. Schenk provides vital information on soil, pruning, and planning, as well as the several varieties of shade. Discussion of plants is divided into chapters (trees, shrubs, groundcovers) and organized alphabetically by botanical name (the index provides common names). A must for any serious gardener--the book I inevitably turn to when confronting shade troubles.

I purchased this book because most of my property is covered with mature trees, and I had a very hard time getting anything to grow. While building a patio/garden, this book proved invaluable many times. I bought it several years ago and still use it every Spring!

The author spends the first part of the book discussing what to do to prepare a shady site for a garden and his informal tone and candid assessment of his own mistakes will encourage the most timid to venture into the darker regions of the garden. There are 8 pages of full color and scattered black and white photos throughout the book, so for those unfamiliar with the mentioned plants, another photo-heavy reference or two is a must. The black and white photos, however, are very useful to indicate foliage texture and form, which is often not noticeable in color pictures. Rather than using USDA hardiness zones, Schenk gives region codes to indicate the hardiness of plants. He includes trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, ferns, perennials, annuals, even edibles. The book was last updated in 1991 and the list of hybrids grows ever longer; still, this is a handy reference to consult before a nursery trip to see the latest and greatest. A helpful list of specialty nurseries, with notes on the specialty of each, is included, as are suggested plans for a shady retreat. A terrific book.

Thinking I needed full sun to grow any plants and flowers, I was prepared to cut down trees and clear land. But finding this book in the library stopped me in my tracks. I renewed it three times because I didn't want to give it back. Finally I came here for my own copy. There are incredibly beautiful flowers that grow in partial and full shade. I would've never known that without this excellent book.

There was some good advice in this book and some original descriptions which was nice. The author certainly has an intimate knowledge of many of the shade plants he describes. However, it does seem a little dated and the pictures are uninspiring. If the pictures were in color, and the information edited for current practices, it would have been much more satisfying.

This book was great because they have pictures that show as well describe the plants and tree's. My wife has low vision and this book was great for her. We recommend this book to all people who want to know what grows in the shade.

When I ordered this book, I was expecting beautiful examples like the photo on the cover, but instead got an outdated black and white books, which is of little use to me when I'm in the middle of a project looking for inspiration. While the content on this book is excellent, and it is a great primer for beginning gardeners, it is not for the designer looking for quick ideas.